Interim Group Financial Controller

Sedex; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A supply chain management firm in London seeks an experienced Interim Group Financial Controller for maternity cover. This role involves leading the finance team, managing M&A strategies, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong accounting background and be proficient in Excel. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to significant financial projects in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience in a private equity-backed technology business.
• Ability to motivate a finance team and interact positively with the wider business.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead Financial Control M&A preparation and execution with the Group CFO.
• Manage, motivate, and lead the Finance team.
• Ensure monthly Board reporting meets high standards.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical accounting expertise

High proficiency in Excel

Risk awareness

Education

ACA/ACCA qualified

Tools

Certinia

Salesforce

Avalara

Job description

Overview

Sedex is a trusted partner for over 90,000 businesses worldwide, helping them create socially and environmentally sustainable supply chains. Through our platform's powerful data insights and expert guidance, we simplify the management, assessment, and reporting of sustainability performance.

Our Vision is to be a leader in making global supply chains more socially and environmentally sustainable. Our Mission is to provide data-driven insights, accessible tools, and exceptional services that support businesses in improving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and outcomes.

The role

Sedex is seeking a high quality, experienced Interim Group Financial Controller to provide maternity cover for 9 to 12 months. Private Equity and / or M&A experience would be a significant advantage.

It is highly likely that the business will be active in M&A during this maternity cover period. It is therefore essential that the successful candidate can manage all aspects of financial control with minimum input required from the Group CFO and that they are able to assist the Group CFO in the execution of M&A strategies.

Significant control and compliance improvements have been made in the last year which need to be maintained and further improved.

Place of work

The Group Finance team is London based and attends the office Wednesdays each week. The Group Financial Controller will need to attend the office on that day and focus on face-to-face team collaboration and problem solving. There may be a need for the Group Financial Controller to work from the office beyond one day a week, flexibility is required.

The finance team comprises a Practice Qualified Finance Manager, one part-qualified management accountant, 1 part-qualified Accounts Payable assistant, 1 Accounts Receivable Manager and 1 part-qualified Accounts Receivable assistant.

Some of the overseas legal entity accounting is undertaken by local multi-disciplined employees. The Group Financial Controller needs to ensure relationships are effective with these individuals, group policies and timelines are adhered to, and the quality of financial returns is high.

Audit and Tax advisers

The Group Financial Controller will need to establish strong working relationships with overseas advisers and auditors. It is essential that the Group Financial Controller gains an understanding of overseas compliance requirements and is therefore able to track whether advisers are executing the services we rely on them for and step in if not.

Sedex has legal entities in the UK, US, Spain, Chile, China, Australia and India.

Finance Systems

• Certinia is Sedex's ERP. It is heavily integrated with and dependent on Salesforce


• Avalara, Sales Tax software (being implemented)


• Navan, employee expenses

The business has enjoyed rapid growth. Its systems are fit for purpose with a significant reliance on Excel. Strong Excel skills are essential as is a hands-on can-do attitude. The business is ever changing and evolving, finance needs to work with the business in a positive and proactive way.

Key Responsibilities

• Take the lead in Financial Control M&A preparation and execution, working closely with the Group CFO


• Manage, motivate, progress and lead the Finance team


• Ensure the month end is closed on a timely basis and to the highest of standards


• Maintain the monthly Board reporting excel model, ensuring it reconciles to the underlying finance system TBs


• Ensure an appropriate handover to the FP&A team each month which includes a comprehensive commentary on variances and material items processed during the month end


• High quality balance sheets must be prepared and signed off monthly. Each month end needs to be closed with the same level of care and attention as a year end


• Annual audits must be planned and executed on a timely basis and account filings must be kept up to date for all subsidiaries


• Annual Corporation tax returns must be accurately prepared and filed on time for all subsidiaries


• VAT and other tax returns must be prepared accurately, filed and paid on time


• Ensure Finance systems and software are maintained and amended to support business requirements, working with external consultants.


• Ensure the Group is executing its transfer pricing policy as set out in the official Transfer Pricing Policy drafted by KPMG. This policy needs to be revised / amended under the guidance of KPMG for changes within Sedex's operating model


• Work with employees in overseas office who undertake some financial activities to ensure their work is high quality, complete and on time


• Complete monthly pre-defined slides for inclusion in the monthly Board papers


• Ensure all Finance related policies are in place and maintained / updated


• Take the lead in preparing the materials for Audit and Risk Committees


• Work with overseas advisers across audit, tax and accounting to ensure Sedex always remains compliant


• Lead and manage the preparation of the annual R&D tax return, working with PwC and Sedex's internal Technology team


• Ensure Avalara, a recently implemented system to manage overseas sales tax compliance, is working as it should and Sedex always remains compliant


• Assist with the creation / strike-off of legal entities as and when a need arises


• Work with HR to review and fund global monthly payrolls


• Treasury management, ensure AP and AR controls are tight and sufficient. Ensure excess cash within the business is deposited in line with the Groups Treasury policy. Maintain strong working relationships with all banking partners. Ensure bank mandates / signatories are maintained with sufficient approval cover exists at all times


• Work closely with FP&A to ensure transactions are captured in a way that eases reporting

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to drive and motivate a team and interact positively with the wider business


• ACA/ACCA audit practice qualified, strong technical accounting expertise, a must


• >1 year experience in a private equity-backed technology business, a significant advantage.


• High proficiency in Excel


• Works with a sense of urgency, a completer finisher


• Risk aware, ability to prioritise and get stuff done


• Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure accuracy in financial reporting.


• Knowledge of Certinia, Salesforce and process improvement initiatives is a plus, systems capabilities a must

Our culture

At Sedex, our approach to business and culture is firmly rooted in our core values, which guide everything we do:

• Respect Each Other: We believe that a foundation of mutual respect is essential to creating a positive and inclusive environment.


• Customer-Driven: We are passionate about delivering exceptional value to our customers. By listening to their needs, understanding their challenges, and continuously adapting our solutions, we aim to empower them to achieve their sustainability goals and drive positive change in their supply chains.


• Thinking Creatively: Innovation is at the heart of our work. We encourage creative problem-solving and embrace new ideas that challenge the status quo. This mindset allows us to continuously improve our products and services, offering fresh and effective solutions to complex sustainability and ethical sourcing issues.


• Take Ownership: We empower our team members to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes. Every person at Sedex is encouraged to own their work, make decisions with confidence, and contribute proactively to the success of the team and the business.


• Deliver Results: We are results-oriented and committed to delivering tangible, impactful outcomes for our customers, our business, and society at large.

Our goal is to cultivate a workplace culture where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves. We prioritize respect and inclusivity, ensuring that all employees feel empowered to contribute, collaborate, and excel. We celebrate diversity in all its forms, recognizing that our strength lies in the variety of experiences, perspectives, and ideas that each individual brings to the table.

By embedding these values into our daily practices, we ensure that we not only meet our business objectives but also create a lasting, positive impact on our people, our customers, and the communities we serve.

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